Metaphors+&+Essays+-+Energizing+Edibles

Submit your metaphor papers/essays to this page. Indicate any text features you want and then placed a solid line at the bottom of your submission. Be sure to include your name. Summer Institute 2009  CLASSROOM COMIC STRIPS By Jonette Shuja My classroom can often be thought of as a comic strip: a lot of laughter about the antics of a stressed out teacher with many students getting the best of her. Comic strips allow me to think back fondly to my third period housing class by comparing each student to a comic strip counterpart. My relationship to each comic strip character has me playing many roles. Velma from Scooby Doo is the brain who always gets down to solving the mystery. My class had a Velma who was always positive and knew things could get done. She would help me with constructing needed items for the classroom and demonstrating our computer program at an electives fair. She of course was not the most beautiful or fashionable, but the go-to person when something needed to be completed. I play the role of Daphne as I would get into scrapes and Velma would help me out such as the time I was questioning, “How can I ever get this thing put together?” Velma said, “That’s easy Mrs. Shuja, I’ll do it for you.” She didn’t even ask for extra points. Dennis the Menace was there. He would get into trouble such as hiding in a corner when I thought he’d sneaked out. Keeping my anger under control, I started to fetch a Pupil Behavior Report form when he popped up out of nowhere, “Surprise, Mrs. Shuja!” He might as well have called me Mr. Wilson as that was often my role with him. Snoopy would quietly sleep on her doghouse. Charlie Brown was constantly surprised that Snoopy was aware of his surroundings and could pop up with full knowledge of the problem, take control, and solve it. I, as Charlie Brown, was also continuously surprised. Our Snoopy quietly carried out her work, few questions asked, and would pop up to show beautiful ideas carried out in a mature manner. She worked at the voting booths during the Presidential election. We can’t get adults to take on that big job. She was always on task but not a braggart. Charlie Brown was proud to show Snoopy’s good points, and so as Charlie, I bragged often about my Snoopy. Our Garfield would take the attitude, “That’s the way it is, duh.” For example, she seemed to be born knowing how to make house designs with our computer design program while the rest of us, including the teacher, would struggle to find the answers. I was Jon, constantly turning to Garfield for assistance. Our Garfield was always trying to get out of class to work on the yearbook, just like the real Garfield tries to get out of work to sleep. As Jon I would demand, “Garfield, get up and get moving! Your house design won’t get completed with you working on an extracurricular activity!” Of course, no duh, she would come up with a creative final piece. We had blonde and beautiful Blondie. I would meet her in the hall to hear this self-assured, “How are you Mrs. Shuja?” Compared to that poise I felt like the bumbling Dagwood Bumstead. What I didn’t know was that her confidence was an apparition. Inside, she was scared and lonely. She told the class on one of our last days together, “On my first day at this school, I didn’t speak until I got to this class, I was so scared.” Garfield completed the story, “She asked me if this chair was taken. That’s not much of a conversational starter, but it was a beginning.” I thought I knew these kids quite well. Just like a newspaper carries a wide variety of comic strips, they too had a wide variety of personalities. To sell a newspaper, its comic strips must have something in common with the reader. They must form a cohesive unit that attracts readers. My class had a camaraderie that glued them together. Mother Goose would not be complete without Little Bo-Peep and Jack Sprat. Our class needed each student to make it successful. Since they were working so well together, I took the helm as Commander Kirk on the spacecraft Enterprise. Eventually, they would take me to where I as a teacher had never been before. Their camaraderie gave me the confidence to try something new. I wanted my students to use what they had learned this past year to plan a better community from scratch. That idea flew out the window like a bird escaping from captivity. They couldn’t conceive of a new community from scratch. We talked about it and they did want to burn out parts of Wichita, which they felt needed improving, and have a phoenix rise up from the ashes. Wichita is an oasis on the flat plains of Kansas. We all have lows represented by the plains; my students showed me their lows. Each student allowed me to view his or her high peaks like those of the neighboring Colorado Rockies. Velma, having once been homeless, had ideas to improve the plight of the homeless. Dennis our Menace felt gangbangers had ruined the recent River Festival. He had a plan to keep them out of future festivals. Gangs might try to lure someone like Dennis into their group. Dennis told ways of how he is avoiding such a confrontation. Snoopy became the Red Baron and zoomed in on the relations of the local police with the African American community and how these relations needed improvement. I saw Snoopy as college ready and bound and never thought she could feel prejudice from those paid to protect us. Garfield, putting aside a plan to get out of the discussion to work with the yearbook staff, had ideas that our public transportation was less than desirable and could be made safer. When she graduates from high school, Garfield will be the first in her family to do so. Blondie, with her love of shopping, threw in a few ideas to improve our stores. She also thought an amusement park that would provide fun, entertainment, and jobs for youth would be an improvement for our community. Due to an unstable home, Blondie had to move in with relatives. I was totally enthralled during the discussion in which they burned out parts of Wichita and had new parts arise like a phoenix. The incredible input from everyone kept each of us stimulated. It was with reluctance that I glanced at the clock and realized it was time to put my favorite characters aside to dismiss class. I couldn’t believe how well I had gotten to know each one during that discussion. I think each of them derived a feeling that they have a contribution to the future of their community, just as the comic strip contributes to the success of its newspaper. Blended together, the newspaper comics attract different readers seeking a brief reprieve from their daily problems. Blended together, my class had just tackled a host of our city’s problems. These students were the icing on my cake. Though not a Golden Apple recipient, they awarded me with another distinction. Teachers at my school must have each student complete a class evaluation. We are to read these evaluations and make improvements based on what students have suggested. It is hard to read the evaluations, much like reading the epitaph on my own headstone. Someone who wants to make mean or belittling comments can do so on an anonymous paper. Moved to tears by finding a cache of jewels, I found that each comic strip character had written that I was their favorite teacher or that they loved the class. This class which I thought was an open book had written a surprise ending. Captain Kirk had to find out what was going on with the Enterprise crew. I asked if they were buttering me up for an “A.” “No, Mrs. Shuja we sincerely love this class.” Okay, then their blueprints needed some adjustments. I brought out the drafting tools. I displayed their tools of cooperation, flexibility, positive attitudes, and tolerance. I wanted them to see that it was their own personalities that had made the class enjoyable, much like the comic strips. Each of the students in my housing class was unique and special, just like their corresponding comic strip character.

 The Path to Adventure By Casey W. Christofferson

Across the broad field of wildflowers, and past the baseball diamond, a million miles away from anywhere stood the entrance to the sandpits. It was a place hidden from the neighboring trailer parks and McKinstry Elementary by a wall of green in the summer and a mask of snow laden branches in winter.

There stood the creek that was sometimes dry, but mostly run. Here where frogs and fish that flopped if the snow had been deep enough, and the spring wet enough. In those days both were commonly true as the snows of the seventies were deep and the droughts of the eighties came later in the year. Beyond the thorny wall of the concrete floored wash stood the iron and concrete trellis of the train bridge which crossed the creek. Running north and south on either side of the bridge were the long abandoned train tracks left over from the days when the Chicago Central barreled through Waterloo, hauling beef and grain to the great Chicago stockyards.

Here was the pathway to adventure where we youngsters used to go fish, swim, and pick wild raspberries and plums along those old iron tracks. Overgrown and wild the bushes and trees reminded us that those things made by man would eventually fall into ruin. An urban wilderness was lord here and the bravest of us would prove our dominion by leaping from the train bridge into the muddy waters of the creek and laugh and laugh as we found ourselves knee deep in the cool mud below.

Beyond the train bridge stood the unknown wasteland. Mile upon mile of wide sand dune barren left over from some flood of the ice age’s alluvial plains offered unexplored activities for the imaginative and the bold. Brush was thick in many places making a maze of the dunes. One could get lost amongst the illegally dumped refuse that comprised a goodly amount of the unnatural portion of the landscape. Rusting springs poked from old couch frames threatened tetanus and shattered television tubes reminded us of the end of the black and white age and the dawn of universal color TV. Many objects became the target of well aimed bb’s from pump action Crossman Air-guns wielded by elementary and middle school snipers who trekked the endless dunes.

In the summer the dunes were our jungle. It was //Predator//. It was some nameless place in some action adventure film where the heroes are dropped into the hot green hell and must fight their way back to a friendly base camp. When not serving as some unknown battlefield the dunes afforded a place where BMX bike tricks could be done far from the eyes of worrying parents who would damn us for our fearlessness, but not so far that an ambulance couldn’t be summoned in the event that the daring had gone too far.

In winter the dunes were a winter wonderland of snow, ice, and blinding white fog. The trek to the dunes, across the old train bridge and the frozen stream was enough to keep us warm for the journey. Of course if the chill was too much it was a simple matter to build a fire from the refuse of a shattered dresser drawer and dead branches to chase the frostbite from small fingers. We were the children of //Star Wars// and this was our planet Hoth. Before Star Wars the hills of the dune were the place to take your sled. After Empire Strikes Back, your sled was a snow-speeder zipping over a glacial landscape as you moved into attack formation against approaching imperial walkers.

As the years went by the city decided to demolish the train bridge for our own safety. There was a fear that children taking the ten foot plunge into the shallow, muddy waters would be endangered. The unfortunate circumstance of this was that it broadened the creek into a wide bog. The pathway could still be crossed though care had to be taken in the footing so as not to wind up in quicksand or quick-mud as it were. Joel lost his brand new duck boots to a bad step and his mother was not pleased. The demolition it seemed had had an opposite effect that the city had not planned and actually made the journey more dangerous than less.

Likewise the demolitions change to the creek’s natural course cost several of us a needed source of summer income. No more would we be able to bow-fish the abundant carp that enjoyed feeding at the drop off and sell them to the Vietnamese fish market for $.25 a lb. as the carp and crappies had moved to more permanent waters. Luckily the raspberries thrived and if you didn’t mind taking a big knife to protect from snakes and cut a path through the urban bush country you could get about four quarts of black raspberries a day in late June and early July. Raspberries sold for a lot more than carp even in the eighties and I could afford plenty if I didn’t mind the sweat and the cuts of the thorns.

Even now as I raise my daughter in a town over four-hundred miles from the gateway to the sandpits I think on those adventures and how I would share these hikes with her. She is about the age I was when I first began my explorations and I know that she would wonder at the metamorphosis of the pond frogs and splash of jumping fish. She would make her own fantasies of what wonderful empires lay beyond the swamp that served as my own pathway to adventure.

 

By Liz Peterson
 * Peterson’s Guided Tours**

As a teacher I am a one stop travel agency. I map out the vacations of chilldhood dreams, keep students safe through the traveling process, and guide them through multiple adventures that are geared towards their interests. If I successfully meet their vacation needs, memories will be made, pictures will be taken, and a great deal of food (or knowledge in this case) will be consumed.

First, I am the both the navigator and the road map. Well laid plans are created and maps are consulted. Before my young passengers climb aboard the plane, board the bus, or jump in the car, I must know where the path will lead. Although sometimes there will be detours and road construction, I will lead the way regardless.

Because my travel agency is a full-service business, I am responsible for the well-being of my tour guests. This requires that some guidelines and rules must be laid out to keep all passengers safe and content. Each young traveler is treated both equally and fairly. A wonderful experience is designed for everyone involved.

My favorite duty at the travel agency is that of tour guide. Once leaving our home port, I have the opportunity to lead explorers to destinations all over the world. On our travels we gain knowledge of the locals, take pictures of the landscape, eat fantastic fare, and make unforgettable memories. At the end of the journey, the pages of our journals will be overflowing with details and experiences from a wonderful trip; one that will leave us dreaming of future adventures.

Being a travel agent is a dream job and definitely my passion. I hope all my guests have amazing expeditions, ones they will not soon forget!

Patrick Kennedy
 * A Path Cut through the Wild**

A teacher is but a path cut through the wild; Knowing what lies ahead, it’s made the journey before. Here it’s set, hoping to guide a hiking child.

Though to the path, the journey is simple and mild, It knows for the traveler, the task is daunting. For A teacher is but a path cut through the wild.

Stay the course pleads the path be not riled It will impart wisdom to those who dare explore. Here it’s set, hoping to guide a hiking child.

One can’t be forced down the trail compiled, Each makes the wilderness their own but anymore A teacher is but a path cut through the wild.

So head out and as your journey becomes styled Forget not to walk the path, it knows the score. Here it’s set, hoping to guide a hiking child.

Once the path is walked, and few have been beguiled, The path remains to be the guide it has been before. A teacher is but a path cut through the wild, Here it’s set, hoping to guide a hiking child.

 ** What is a Teacher? **   What is a teacher?  The Role Model  The Map Reader  The Care Giver  The Inspiration Breather   A teacher holds the future in her hands,  And shapes it, <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Whether she grasps it tenderly And sculpts it like wet clay, <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Or drops it awkwardly <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> A teacher is the silversmith, <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Holding molten metal <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Gingerly over open flame <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Until all impurities burn away <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> And shining silver bubbles into liquid clarity <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> A teacher is the mason, <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Who sets stone boundaries <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> And holds minds listening carefully, <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Well grounded and unwavering, <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Foundation for the whole <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> A teacher is the engineer, <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Inspiring the kite of dreams <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> To soar beyond realities <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Of here and now <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> To possibilities extreme <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> A teacher is the architect, <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Bridging young experience <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> From abstract and ethereal <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> To concrete thoughts <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> And steel reality <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> A teacher's the director <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Who decorates the actors stage <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> And orchestrates the prompts <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> For wonders of the Universe, <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Unfolding like a gingham tablecloth <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> A teacher is the potter, <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Her students are the clay <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> What flight of fancy well-defined Will teacher’s sacred obligation <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Embrace for us today?

Lynda Wasser

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; color: rgb(128, 128, 128);">What Women Want
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; color: rgb(128, 128, 128);">**By Sandy Foster**

Having recently watched a rerun of What Women Want, I decided to compose a serious top-ten list of what I believe most women want in their man. I'm giving this top ten list to you, son, as you prepare for married life. Your new bride may have a few variations to this list, but I suspect her top-ten list will be pretty similar. These items are of equal importance to a satisfying relationship, so here, in no particular order, is my top-ten list of what a woman wants in her man:

10. An attentive listener. A woman needs to know her ideas and feelings are being heard -- not just noise in the background, but actually understood. An active listener comprehends the message, not just hears the words and ignores them. This doesn't mean you must agree with everything she says. On the contrary, she wants you to think for yourself and have your own opinions. But when it comes to matters of the heart, you need to look her in the eyes and respond with understanding so she knows she has been heard.

9. A yell leader. A woman wants a partner who supports her enthusiastically with whatever she attempts. Important decisions must be made as equals; but when she has a dream and decides to go for it, she needs to know she has your total support, even if she later realizes she made a mistake. And when that happens, she needs your understanding rather than someone who says "I told you so."

8. Honesty in all matters. You cannot build a relationship of trust if you are not completely honest with each other. If you cannot tell the truth in small matters, and she finds out you lied, then how do you expect her to believe you when there is a question of your truthfulness in a more important matter? Little white lies, over time, build a wall of distrust that can crumble a marriage.

7. A hard worker. This is not to be confused with a workaholic. A woman wants someone who is willing to work hard to support the family, but she also expects you to be an emotional presence with her and the family when it is family time. Work time should not interfere with family time on a regular basis. No one ever sees a tombstone that says 'I wish I would have spent more time at work'.

6. Moderation. Having control of yourself in all matters is essential, from eating, drinking, spending, or playing, to exhibiting emotions, Any of these behaviors that get out of control affect a marriage in one way or another. Your partner wants someone who is healthy, happy, and balanced in all things. This is perhaps the most difficult attribute to achieve.

5. Sense of Humor. Humor is the equalizer in any relationship. If you can make her laugh and be able to laugh at your own foibles, you can deal with anything that comes your way. Laughter releases endorphins that relaxes you and relieves stress. Always know the difference between 'laughing with' and 'laughing at'. Never laugh at her expense, especially in the company of others.

4. Faith. A good marriage partner will have faith in God, faith in yourself, and faith in your spouse. Faith in God is an absolute for a successful marriage. He will help you through the tough times --and there will be tough times. He will bless you in many ways. Your new wife wants you to have faith in yourself. Be confident in your abilities and resolute in your decisions. She wants you to know that she believes in you; believe in her, as well. She needs you to have faith in her abilities, to believe in her as she believes in you.

3. Communicator. Communication problems are the curse of many a failed marriage. Many an argument could be avoided if good communication skills were put to practice. Always say what you feel, but say it calmly, and without malice. Listen carefully, repeat what you think you heard, and if necessary, agree to disagree. Never hold your feelings inside year after year until they emerge in the form of hatred, resentment, or antagonism.

2. Romance/Fidelity. You will enjoy each other's company with the beautiful romance of newlyweds for a short time. When the honeymoon is over, don't let the romance go by the wayside. Call her up and make a date once in awhile. Write her love notes on occasion. Surprise her with flowers for no reason. Call her just to let her know you're thinking about her. Take her on weekend getaways. Remember her birthday and your anniversary. If you remember no other days, remember those! Even more important than romance to a marriage is fidelity, the backbone of any marriage. If you practice infidelity, you have broken a code of honor and disrespected yourself as well as your partner. You cannot expect people to respect you if you don't respect your partner or yourself enough to stand by your vows. Show her how romantic you can be, and she will return the favor ten-fold, so you will never want to stray.

1. Partner for life. The emphasis here is on the word partner. She wants someone with whom she can share her life and she expects you to share your life with her. She is not marrying you so that you will be the spokesperson for the team and dictate how things will be. She wants this to be a union of two who share equally the responsibilities of a marriage and family. And yes, she wants it to last a lifetime.